Behind Bars

Jews in prisons and the people who have not forgotten them.

An online petition by more than 200 Jewish groups gathered more than 36,000 signatures against the execution of Martin Edward Grossman, a Jewish inmate who was nevertheless recently brought to death at Florida State Prison for murdering a wildlife officer more than 25 years ago.

This outpouring of Jewish support for the Jewish death row inmate, who committed the crime as a 19-year-old, drug-addicted high school dropout with an IQ of 77 and a history of epilepsy, is a true exception to the rule.

“There are a few groups in American Jewish society -- the elderly, and prisoners -- that are overlooked. Jews don’t even want to know that there are Jewish prisoners. They are ashamed. It’s a shunda,” says Manuel Weiss, 58, an activist attorney in Colorado Springs, who took on the fight for the religious liberties of Jewish prisoners in 1995. “What it comes down to is that these guys are alone -- oftentimes their families have written them off, and the Jewish community wants nothing to do with them.”

“Our primary objective with Jews who are incarcerated is to ensure they have the opportunity to practice their faith."

Weiss is among 700 volunteers for Jewish Prisoner Services International (JPSI), a national organization dedicated to helping Jews in prisons across the U.S. Another few hundred are affiliated with the Aleph Institute. These are the only two nation-wide non-profit organizations dedicated to helping Jews behind bars. They work together to arrange rabbinical visitations, holiday services, religious and educational programming, religious freedom advocacy, and to supply Jewish resources to the prisons’ usually Christian staff chaplains.

“We’re a small but dedicated bunch,” says Chaplain Gary Friedman, Chairman of JPSI, who estimates that of the over 5,000 staff chaplains employed by federal and state institutions across the U.S., only some 250 are Jewish, and most of those on a part-time basis, leaving most of the work of looking after the needs of Jewish prisoners to volunteers.

“Most people are surprised to discover that Jews go to prison for non-white collar crimes,” says Friedman. “We come from a community that believes our people don’t do anything wrong, at least not really wrong,” says Friedman. “But unfortunately we do.”

Aleph and JPSI volunteers reach Jews in hundreds of institutions across 45 states. “We are guided by a philosophy. According to Maimonides, in the Laws of Charity, one takes priority over all the rest: Pidyon Shevuim, the redemption of captives,” says Friedman. “Our primary objective with Jews who are incarcerated is to ensure they have the opportunity to practice their faith, which translates into their chance for redemption.”

The view from inside

According to Friedman, this is easier said than done. Jews in prison face many unique challenges. To start, it is difficult to find them. Since prisoners are eligible to change their religious status once a year, there are many who list themselves as ‘Jewish’ when they’re not. Friedman estimates this is the case with some 20,000 prisoners in the U.S., who do this most often to obtain a kosher diet, which is perceived as ‘cleaner’ than common prison fare. “There are more riots in prison over food than anything else,” notes Friedman.

Some 20,000 non-Jewish prisoners in the U.S. list themselves as Jewish, most often to obtain a kosher diet.

On the other side of the coin are those inmates who are Jewish, but who refuse to identify themselves as Jews, either because they were raised in non-observant homes and it means little to them, or because they have strayed from Judaism and feel unworthy or ashamed of their affiliation.

Add to this another reason for staying quiet about being Jewish: it poses certain social challenges in prison. “Socially, prison is very hard for Jewish people. It might not be so comfortable, the language of the inmates is very rough, and there are some anti-Semitic instances, though they are not very common. Jewish people are often very lonely in prison,” says Rabbi Avrohom David, 45, head of the Seattle Kollel, who has visited prisoners at the federal detention center in SeaTac, Washington for the last 14 years. “A lot of them -- men and women -- go to bed crying every night. It’s not an easy thing. It’s very hard on people.”

Taking all of these factors into consideration, it’s difficult to get an accurate read on the number of Jews in prison. The Aleph Institute estimates there are some 4,000-6,000 halachic Jews in federal, state and county institutions, representing some 0.25% of the 2.4 million men and women in prison in the U.S. JPSI estimates are much higher, 12,000-15,000, or some 0.63%.

Once they are identified, a process which usually entails a series of sincerity checks -- Greenhaven maximum security prison in Stormville, New York forces Jewish-listed prisoners to write a test which they must pass in order to receive the country’s only hot kosher meal program -- volunteers go into action.

The battlefield is set with teams of messianic Christian volunteers, who with seemingly endless budgets manage to circumvent laws against proselytizing. Friedman estimates their numbers at around 500,000. Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship Program, an evangelical Christian organization with an annual budget over $60 million, alone contributes thousands of volunteers, nationwide.

“There are legions of evangelicals trying to convert prisoners and their families and the rest of us are doing what we can to spite them,” says Friedman, who in addition to chairing JPSI, serves as headquarters chaplain for the Washington State Department of Corrections and is the sole Jewish prison staff chaplain in his region of the United States.

“There are legions of evangelicals trying to convert prisoners and their families and the rest of us are doing what we can to spite them."

It was this ‘imbalance’ at the Davis correctional facility in Holdenville, Oklahoma, that inspired Bob Rubin, 68, to get involved in prison volunteering in 2005. “On my first visit, there were dozens of Christian volunteers doing Bible studies with some 200 prisoners,” recalls Rubin, who now serves as Religious Liaison for Jewish offenders across Oklahoma State. “I didn’t like the set-up where the 6-8 Jews there had nobody to talk to, to answer questions, or to visit them.”

In many cases, Christian staff chaplains, or the institution itself, obstruct minority faith observance. Despite the Free Exercise of Religion clause in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, many prison facilities, each of which goes according to its own rules, still operate out of ignorance, and incarcerated Jews are systematically denied kosher food, religious articles, and the ability to practice certain religious rites.

According to Friedman, who helped draft The Handbook of Religious Beliefs and Practices, a policy guide for corrections systems meant to counter this problem, denials are more often than not the result of lack of education and understanding. “Jews are misunderstood in general,” he says. “The ones in prison are no exception.”

“There have been prisoners that have had their teffilin, siddur, and talit confiscated; those told that they aren’t allowed to wear a kippa; those told they can only lay teffilin on Thursday mornings; and others told that they can only light Shabbat candles before 3 p.m.; or to only ‘light’ electric candles,” says Weiss. “I am talking about the regular denial of religious liberties.”

According to Neil Steinhorn, 60, who along with members of the Jewish Big Brother and Big Sister League in Maryland, has been visiting Maryland state prisons for the last 15 years, this situation has only gotten worse. Five years ago, he used to bring in a menorah and candles and donuts for Chanukah, and for Passover, he would bring in kosher meals and lead a 1.5-hour seder. Nowadays, he says, he has to get clearance to bring items in months in advance, and they are limited to catering one ceremonial meal per religion per year. “Things have become a lot stricter,” he says.

New York is one of the only states that puts a concerted effort into balancing security concerns with considerations for religious practice. It hires staff chaplains at state facilities, and most large facilities have a Muslim Imam, Catholic and Protestant chaplains, and a Rabbi on the payroll.

“If you look at states across the country, I think you’ll find that New York stands out in terms of allowing religious practice, as long as it doesn’t present a security problem,” says Ken Perlman, Deputy Commissioner in charge of Program Services throughout the New York state prison system. “But New York is different from most other states.”

The view from outside

In addition to the unique challenges that Jewish prisoners face behind bars, they face a series of challenges outside of prison, too. Unlike their Christian counterparts, organized Jewish community organizations tend not to support their brethren behind bars.

Only B’nai Brith, the birthplace of JPSI, which became independent from its mother organization in 1997, gives some funding to the cause. Besides that, it’s all up to the Aleph Institute and JPSI. “We are not the most popular cause; people prefer to look the other way,” says Friedman. “If it’s a choice to give to heder, or disabled people, or whatever -- anything else will get funding first.”

“People don’t see investing in offenders as an investment in the future,” says Rubin. “They see it as a dead end. It’s tragic. Many of these folks are good people who have done bad things.”

The result: Jewish prisoners are loners, both in the prison system and out of it.

“Family members are often wrongfully judged. They are not guilty of anything but they are suffering too.”

Oftentimes, the families of incarcerated Jews carry the same social stigma as their imprisoned family member and are equally as alienated by the Jewish community. The Aleph Institute estimates there are some 25,000 spouses, children, and parents who fall into this category. To address this problem, they started the F.E.E.L.S. Family Program in 1984 to help look after their financial, psychological and social needs.

“Family members are often wrongfully judged. They are not guilty of anything but they are suffering too,” says Friedman. “A lot of our focus is on normalizing family members’ lives.”

When inmates are released from prison, they often need a lot of help. “Usually, they walk out with $40 in their pocket and the clothes on their back,” says Friedman. “We spend a lot of time with prisoners, working on their release plans.”

Says Friedman, the buzzword for the last decade has been, ‘reentry.’ “We Jews have been involved in reentry since Biblical times, except we don’t call it reentry. We call it teshuva -- repentance.”

Why they volunteer

Rubin deems this aspect of Jewish prisoner advocacy most important. It is why he holds weekly ‘equipping’ classes for Jewish prisoners. “The institutions feed and house the prisoners, but there is not enough money in the system to reeducate the prisoners and give them tools to survive in the outside world when they get out on parole. That’s the responsibility of volunteers,” he says.

Rubin’s classes teach everything from common courtesies and new popular technologies to how to apply for a job, get a driver’s license, and rent an apartment, to Jewish ethics. “These people become our neighbors. If you don’t want them to go back to the people they knew before they went in, which is usually the worst thing they can do, you have to give them the tools to stand on their own.

“I see these prisoners first and foremost as Jews, and a Jew is a Jew.”

“I see these prisoners first and foremost as Jews, and a Jew is a Jew,” he says. “My commitment to Jews in Oklahoma corrections facilities can be summed up in four words: No Jew Left Behind.”

Eleanor Gibson’s reasons are more personal. Twenty-five years ago the 65-year-old woman’s 18-year-old daughter was brutally murdered by one of her flatmates in her Seattle apartment. The 18-year-old Jewish boy, who is still serving a life sentence at a maximum security facility in Colorado, smashed the girl over the head with a dumbbell, strangled her, and then decapitated her.

“It doesn’t seem like it’s been 25 years,” says Gibson, who now lives with her second husband and three sons in a town called Grayland, on the Washington coast. “It happened 25 years ago, but it happened yesterday. It’s always yesterday.”

Several years after the murder, Gibson’s synagogue hosted a speaking engagement for Chaplain Friedman. He came to the small community to impress upon the congregants the urgent need for volunteers at the newly-built Stafford Creek Correctional Center, just 20 minutes from Grayland, which had become home to some six Jewish inmates.

“After talking to Chaplain Friedman and realizing that there was a desperate need for volunteers, I felt that maybe it would be something positive that would come out of it,” says Gibson.

After completing the year-long volunteer training course at the prison, Gibson, an observant woman, began teaching a class for the Jewish inmates on Hebrew, Jewish history and culture.

“In the beginning, it was very hard. Here I was, teaching a class to sex offenders and murderers. I had to overcome my own revulsion,” says Gibson, who for the last five years has taught the weekly three-hour class. “Last year, we started going over the Torah portion. The men have really come to enjoy it, and for me, well, it has become my island of sanity in the week.”

For Steinhorn, a lawyer who himself spent 18 months in a federal facility in Martinsberg, West Virginia 20 years ago for ‘structuring a monetary transaction,’ it is volunteers’ small shows of kindness that can make all the difference in the world.

“As a former recipient of volunteer services, I know how important they are and what a lifeline they can be,” he says. “Most prisoners’ families have given up on them and they never get visitors, so to give them, even just an hour a month, a conversation with someone who’s not part of the prison system, goes a long way.”

The power of Judaism for Jews behind bars cannot be overestimated.

Rabbi David says his interest in volunteering stems mostly from a desire to ensure that the prisoners have Jewish opportunities. “While in prison people are willing to learn more, and it’s a good opportunity to offer them more education,” he says. “Most of the people I have worked with come to a place where they realize what’s most important in life.

“There’s one idea that I teach,” he says. “We are never allowed to judge a person where they are in the eyes of God. If we were given the same set of circumstances they were, we may have done the same or worse. I teach it and try to live it as much as possible, and if you look at people in that way it’s a lot easier to visit them.”

Rabbi Michael Chill, who for the last 15 years has served as chaplain at Greenhaven, which has the largest Jewish prisoner population in New York state and possibly in the U.S., says the power of Judaism for Jews behind bars cannot be overestimated. “Religion is a very strong point, it helps them go out on the street and not come back. It’s a public safety issue,” he says. “If we release an individual into the community better than he came in, we are doing a service to the safety of the community.”

“You ask me why I do this work,” says Weiss, “it is the obligation of every Jew to come to the aid of another Jew in need of help.”

Visitor Comments: 30

(28)
Joyce Roccaforte,
November 28, 2012 4:04 AM

Religion is most important, we of all Religion, teach our sons to stand as men, to love God " and one another, but this system drains them of their faith, their beliefs ,no one should have to suffer, the loss of not seeing their family,I want to know we're we go to fight this, those of us who care fr one another, should not let this crulity go unnoticed!!!! Please help!!!!

(27)
Joyce Roccaforte,
November 15, 2012 10:02 PM

I have two sons in prison , one of which I can't get to see!!!

Weather a prisoner is Jewish or not every mother should be able to see their child, I am willing to do whatever it takes to fight the wrongs, that happen to Jewish as well as my own, for in Gods Eyes we are all his children, no one should have to suffer the crimes this system, that leaves our sons hopeless"""

(26)
Claire,
May 29, 2012 9:21 PM

Serious inaccuracy in article (1st amendment)

I understand the author is a Canadian living in Israel, but, how could any educated person be ignorant of the 1st amendment? It is not illegal to proselytize in the US, this is part of freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

Beverly Kurtin,
May 21, 2013 12:36 AM

Reverse the situation

I guess you are a Christian. Suppose the tables were reversed and the majority was Jewish. How would I YOU feel if your beliefs were challenged constantly?
Without trying too hard, I could tear your faith to shreds and there would no way you could support what you formerly believed.
HOWEVER, in a prison, your Constitutional rights can and are suspended because the last thing prison officials want is a religious war. So if you want to proselytize, stay out of jail.
BTW, Leviticus 17 deals with the prohibition of Jews not eating blood...it has NOTHING to do with atonement. Do not take verses out of context. That is a favorite tactic of evangelicals. It is patently dishonest.

(25)
Shimon,
March 7, 2010 4:04 AM

No Jewish Prisons

For the record. Jewish law does not have a provision for imprisonment. Murderers are executed, thefts are repaid double or 4-5 the amount, and other transgressions get flogging. Imprisonment is cruel and counterproductive. Do some research on USA recidivism crime rate. It is our duty to reach out to our brothers locked into this crime producing prison system. It is their only chance to emerge as reformed people.

(24)
Libby Kahane,
March 5, 2010 7:14 AM

Rabbi Meir Kahane succeeded in obtaining the right to kosher food for Jewish prisoners

The story of how Rabbi Meir Kahane fought for and won the right of kosher food for Jewish prisoners is detailed in my book, "Rabbi Meir Kahane: His Life and Thought" distributed by Urim (www.urimpublications.com)

(23)
anon,
March 4, 2010 5:42 AM

question

Why was the issue of education before crimes are commited mentioned in this article?
It is good to make sure there is not hillul Hashem going on through helping Jews to behave as Jews whereever they are, however it is also important to stop hillul Hashem by truly pursuing justice and making the effort towards Torah justice and bringing criminals to justice. People need to pay for their crimes as Hashme commanded.

A. Eller,
September 2, 2013 6:01 PM

The article is about helping Jews already in jail, not about keeping others out - an entirely different, if worthy, topic.

(22)
anonymous,
March 4, 2010 5:30 AM

"justice, justice, shall you pursue"

I have not really thought about this before, but when reading this, my first thought was that this is not a just system. In G-d's justice system, people pay for their crimes, they don't sit in prison for them. Murderers should be executed. That is in the best interest of society.
We should not be worried about GUILTY prisoners receiving kosher food as much as we should be concerned about a justice system in which people actually pay for their crimes.
Why is this not mentioned more?
We don't hear anything about the person they killed getting to learn more Torah? Is this just? I can understand giving people a second chance in life, but murderers are not innocent Jewish captives. In a biblical justice system, these people would have been executed already. We should not be worrying about kosher food. Let's worry about educating Am Yisrael before these crimes are commited.
Crimes such as rape and theft, etc. had other punishments. The system is what it is. For those kinds of cases, I can understand trying to educate them. But the energy in these kinds of programs should go toward educating people and working toward a more just justice system. How about a little deterrence from committing crimes in the first place?

(21)
andrea,
March 4, 2010 3:22 AM

the petition and actions taken on behalf of grossman were a shunda in my opinion. his victims mother and family were called and harassed repeatedly in the quest to keep him from being executed.
never mind that he killed her by knocking her out and shooting her in the back of the head, he was sentenced to die over 25 years ago, and this was because HE did something wrong.
to use that in the same article as the idea of volunteering with inmates totally made me want to skip the entire article. i am sickened by what my fellow jews did in the name of this undisputed killer.
that having been said, i think that the work being done by volunteers (got as far as gibson before i wanted to throw up thinking about jews who harassed a victims family being held out as positive examples) is very important work and those who work WITH prisoners and not against their victims are doing a great job. there is a huge difference between reachign out to prisoners and abuse of victims families.

(20)
YoelYitzchak,
March 3, 2010 8:43 PM

Please don't let...

A bad experience to decide that all of us in the Law Enforcement field are horrible people!
And to commentor # 18, I whole-heartedly agree!

(19)
Shmuel,
March 3, 2010 4:20 PM

Let's not forget the first one who made Jewish Prisoner rights an issue

Rabbi Meir Kahane.

(18)
Anonymous,
March 3, 2010 7:08 AM

One of the ways of tackling the problems of anti - Semitism and overt or subtle human rights violation in prisons, is for Jews to put their "prides in their pockets" and actively and aggressively train to become law enforcement officers, firmen, dectives, the military, prison wardens and intelligent officers, and to see the mitzvah and importance of these jobs. Lobby to get laws in place to prevent missionaries form preeching and missionising to the weak and vunerable of the community, for no religion must be prostituted or forced onto any human being. If a person chooses to change his religion (though not a great idea), then let him or her do so on their free will, but one must still with integrity and respect council such persons from changing their religions. More Jews in such services will help to improve the lives of Jews incarcerated in prisons. A concept and culture of restoritive justice needs to be encouraged.

(17)
Anonymous,
March 3, 2010 7:07 AM

(16)
Anonymous,
March 2, 2010 10:15 PM

May G-d bless all those who minister to these captives.

This is something I have truly never thought about before - thanks for bringing it to our attention. Being Jewish and in prison with no spiritual encouragement would have to bring an added burden that no one should have to bear. I can imagine that the Christian organizations are quite busy proselytizing this captive audience. I wish I could help, but I am just learning about Judaism myself.
May G-d bless all those who minister to these captives.

(15)
Anonymous,
March 2, 2010 1:33 PM

There is another organization: Lasurim.

I once read about an organization Lasurim headed by Chaim Hollender, a man who himself has gone through the experience and therefore recognizes how important it is for a Jewish prisoner to have a support system.

(14)
Anonymous,
March 2, 2010 1:00 PM

Jews in prison addition.

There is a third organization that is extremely active in helping Jews in prison, Reaching Out, headed by Rabbi Shmuel Spritzer
I am a former prisoner in the federal system and from experience I can say that Rabbi Spritzer is the "go to person" when a Jew needs help in defending his or her religious rights.
While Aleph does a fine job when it comes to education my experience was that it was Rabbi Spritzer and Reaching Out who would get down in the trenches, so to speak, and fight for the rights of Jews to practice our religion.
The federal guidelines when it comes to equal treatment of all religions are excellent but are often unenforced at the local level. Each Warden has almost dictatorial power. While some are open minded others are outright anti-Semites. The same is true of the Christian Chaplains. When a Jew is discriminated against, or worse, it is Rabbi Spritzer who can be counted on to take immediate and effective action.

(13)
Anonymous,
March 2, 2010 7:47 AM

.
It takes special hand picked individuals who do not have "a holier than thou" attitudes to look after and attend to the needs of Jewish Prisoners. If there is missionary activities and anti - Semitic activites against Jewish Prisoners, both are fully acts of anti - Semitism and must be vigerously and comprehensively dealt with. Know the constitution and the human rights policies and prinson rules and policies inside out and make clear examples of both inmates, religious groups and wardens, and a "naming and shaming" campaign might not be a bad idea. Colin

(12)
Nili,
March 2, 2010 7:47 AM

Rabbi Meir Kahane ZTZ"L

Rabbi Meir Kahane ZTZ"L was the one who was responsible for the Kosher food law. Time and again he chastised the Jewish Establishmant for neglecting Jewish prisoners. His struggle for these rights is documented in the book "Rabbi Meir Kahane: His Life and Thought"

(11)
Anonymous,
March 2, 2010 12:48 AM

"If you believe you can damage, believe you can repair" - Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

If any good can come out of what happened to Martin Grossman, its that we all feel an increased responsibility for one another as Jews. And that we realize that no Jew can committ an aveira (sin) that puts them out, there is always teshuva. The overwhelming support that poured out for Martin Grossman shows just how much we believe in ourselves as Jews and believe in the gift of teshuva that G-d has given us.
I volunteer for the Aleph Institute and write to 2 female Jewish prisoners. They both very much appreciate the letters and have little Jewish contact. If you are thinking about volunteering, google the organizations mentioned and get involved!

(10)
Anonymous,
March 1, 2010 12:49 PM

I am so moved by the $15.00 bounced check inmate, I too was arrested inappropriately

I have the exact same experience to witness to, being arrested for no reason other than a ticket taker at a baseball game pushing a quiet panic button because I expressed a sarcastic remark when he overly searched my purse with dirty hands (no gloves and sincerely schmutzadic) and actually made a dirt mark INSIDE of my purse. What I said was "now don't forget to check my nose and my ears", admittedly sarcastic, my way of protesting. As I walked into the gate, giving my ticket I was tripped by someone and shoved down into the concrete with my face into the ground, my open purse flying into a crowd of people with all of its contents flying everywhere, and before I knew THREE police were on my body, totally over-reacting to the situation. Before I knew it I could not breathe and I was cuffed and removed. I was taken to a holding cell and shackled to a wall in chains and I begged and cried and begged and cried to talk to someone, that this was a big mistake, what did I do? etc etc, I was terrified and there was a camera on my face. I kept chanting the shema over and over again for strength and comfort, and a cop came in and shrieked in my face SHUT UP, then they kept taunting me that they were taking me down to the first district and I was going to be thrown into a hole, they kept trying to say I bit a cop, that I assaulted a cop... I was taunted for being jewish, for being a large woman..I became sick to my stomach and could not stop vomiting. I also had tremendous difficulty breathing, finally got transferred to a hospital and psych ward for three days. I am a home health therapist, and see many cops every single day in my driving, and I feel as though I am driving through a war zone, since my experience with cops. I cannot tell the difference between a cop and a criminal. Everyone should watch the film The Green Mile.

(9)
YoelYitzchak,
March 1, 2010 11:04 AM

I am a Deputy in a county jail

I am a Deputy in a county jail and am the "token Jew" (my term) for the Chaplins. If an inmate asks for a kosher diet, (and, yes, it is MUCH better than the typical jail food) the Chaplins have a general list of questions that I suggested they ask([have they asked for Jewish prayer books, for a kepa, do they have a rabbi, etc.). I also suggest they see what snacks the inmate has been ordering -things like pork rinds would be a big no-no.
The thing is, what if the inmate has begun taking steps towards Teshuvah? He or she may not have the knowledge to answer correctly. I often fear that a Jew will be denied simply because of that lack of knowledge and that I have somehow become an accomplice to that denial... As I am a Deputy I am not able/allowed to talk to the inmate myself (although I have had good conversations with the inmates I directly supervise, i.e. If I ascend into Heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.")
Also, a number of years back I attempted to find a Jewish organization that would donate any religious books and found none, perhaps because it's a jail, not a prison?
They have tons of material from a lot of different religions, but absolutely nothing Jewish.
If someone could help me with this, I give the editor my permission to give them my e-mail address.

(8)
Anonymous,
March 1, 2010 4:46 AM

true charity

I was totally amazed at the amount of giving kindness of youj jews, my fellow jews who have taken such a stance to reach out to the disinfranchised jew. I felt somewhat ashamed that it never even occurred to me the mitzvot, "all jews are responsible for their fellow jew". How can I help?

(7)
Yechielshlipshon,
March 1, 2010 4:12 AM

I have been there

I served 18 years of a quarter. I had to fight for my rights and at the same time, help support three other Jewish inmates. The Nashville community was not helpful in our desire to return to our Jewish roots. I received more help from my Catholic cellmate and the Chaplin, than my Rabbi. His attitude can be summed up when I asked him for help to buy the Zohar; "Don't hold your breath!" The librarian enable me to do what I had to, by my using the phone to call New York and finding a store.
Aleph helped, and so did some other people, but it was not easy for them. The Chaplin was decent, though. For example, I had PeSach each year, and after the first year, each one was interfaith. I was told that the compound was quieter after the Seder.
Since I left incarceration, I have to depend on gentiles, mostly. I never weaver on my commitment to HaShem and His Torah.

(6)
Talya,
February 28, 2010 8:56 PM

Thank you

Thank you for sharing these insights and perspectives with us. You have really given me something to think about, and perhaps if I get the opportunity, to act upon.

(5)
Anonymous,
February 28, 2010 8:24 PM

It almost happened to me

I was arrested once and before I knew what was happening, I was an inmate at a local country jail. Nobody wanted to know anything; I faced a form of cruelty and indifference I wish to never face again. I tried to explain that I had already paid for the bounced check (my bad, I miscalculated the amount of money I had the first time) but the guards just screamed and told me to shut up. The only solace I got was from other inmates who listened to what had happened and they told me what to do and more importantly what NOT to do. Talk about being a scared puppy! I've never had trouble with the law and why they were treating me with such violence and terror I could not understand. Finally, at the nurse's station I told one of them, "All of this for a $15 check that was already paid for?" Thank G-d she got me hidden from the regular inmates and in a few hours my lawyer took care of the bail. I was released at 2 in the morning with no way to pay for a cab to go home, so I walked six hours to get there. It is my solid belief that some of the worst criminals we have wear badges; they create an atmosphere of SHUT UP YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS and they consider us guilty of the most heinous of crimes before they even bother to find out what is in their arrest warrant.
It too years, but I finally can look at an office of the law without shaking inside but it is a night I shall never forget.

(4)
Anonymous,
February 28, 2010 7:48 PM

we have it in Mexico

I have been involved in looking for an Israeli prisoner in Tijuana, Mexico, fortunatley we dont have almost any Jewish prisoners in Mexico as far a sI Know, but please count me to help in if there is any case.

(3)
Anonymous,
February 28, 2010 3:38 PM

Teshuvite helped by Aleph Institute

I was in prison for 3 years and am a registered sex offender. I was arrested 35 years after my Bar Mitzvah. Since then my life has been Teshuvah. While on bail I attended Shabbat services. Hearing and chanting the prayers of my youth felt healing. I attended Temple regularly prior to jail and prison. G-d was in prison with me and blessed me everyday. It was like being in the wilderness having to depend on G-d for everything. I found other Jews and we began praying together and studying Torah. I was approached hundreds of times to convert. I was threatened to convert. My life was threatened by the Muslims. I was attacked in the Chapel by a Catholic. Muslims attacked another Jew and Skinheads another. But we kept praying and studying. Near the end of my incarceration there were 15 real Jews and 25 other men who studied with us. Dozens learned to read Hebrew. We had Yom Kippur denied as well as other holy days. Aleph Institute helped us get approval to have services on Friday nights. Now on parole, I attend services. The Rabbis and a few congregants know my background. One couple approached the Rabbi to try to get me removed from the Temple. Thankfully I’m still able to attend. And when I get an Aliyah or am able to hold or look at the Torah; I cry.

(2)
Guyster,
February 28, 2010 2:04 PM

Jews went to prison?

It wa shocking to me to learn the amount of Jews in the corrections system. I am a recovering alcoholic and now go into jails and prisons to help and offcer the AA meetings every week. I found that my name spread and that I was a Jew, shortly, I found my group turning from 5 to 15 to 40 to, well you get the picture. They were not all alcoholics, yet, they were Jews hoping for a 'little' bit of something Jewish, if you will. With the laws so tight and also monitored, I speak in Hebrew and talk fast, as to be able to get away with most of it, then the parts that are not understood, well, I pass out paperwork, 'homework' I call it, but with religious tones and prayers and the such. It IS important work that ALL folks ge twhat they need, and that means a simply DECENT Shabbat and also, a groober on Purim, in which we just had, I was able to bring in 5 of them and had to have them checked IN/OUT but they made it!!!.......I also think I might have a few converts in line, which is not my job to tackle for I am not a Rabbi, but you better believe I will try to get whatever I can, IN that place to help the fellow Jew and the ones that feel Jewish....... Shalom, Guy

(1)
Shoshana,
February 28, 2010 12:51 PM

JPSI

Please make special mention of Rabbi Binyomin Sheiman, (Des Plaines IL) who has been visiting prisoners, both state and federal, in the state of Illinois, as well as the inestimable services of Rabbi Shmuel Spitzer of NY. This organization, and its volunteers, deserves recognition, attention and support.

I just got married and have an important question: Can we eat rice on Passover? My wife grew up eating it, and I did not. Is this just a matter of family tradition?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The Torah instructs a Jew not to eat (or even possess) chametz all seven days of Passover (Exodus 13:3). "Chametz" is defined as any of the five grains (wheat, spelt, barley, oats, and rye) that came into contact with water for more than 18 minutes. Chametz is a serious Torah prohibition, and for that reason we take extra protective measures on Passover to prevent any mistakes.

Hence the category of food called "kitniyot" (sometimes referred to generically as "legumes"). This includes rice, corn, soy beans, string beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, mustard, sesame seeds and poppy seeds. Even though kitniyot cannot technically become chametz, Ashkenazi Jews do not eat them on Passover. Why?

Products of kitniyot often appear like chametz products. For example, it can be hard to distinguish between rice flour (kitniyot) and wheat flour (chametz). Also, chametz grains may become inadvertently mixed together with kitniyot. Therefore, to prevent confusion, all kitniyot were prohibited.

In Jewish law, there is one important distinction between chametz and kitniyot. During Passover, it is forbidden to even have chametz in one's possession (hence the custom of "selling chametz"). Whereas it is permitted to own kitniyot during Passover and even to use it - not for eating - but for things like baby powder which contains cornstarch. Similarly, someone who is sick is allowed to take medicine containing kitniyot.

What about derivatives of kitniyot - e.g. corn oil, peanut oil, etc? This is a difference of opinion. Many will use kitniyot-based oils on Passover, while others are strict and only use olive or walnut oil.

Finally, there is one product called "quinoa" (pronounced "ken-wah" or "kin-o-ah") that is permitted on Passover even for Ashkenazim. Although it resembles a grain, it is technically a grass, and was never included in the prohibition against kitniyot. It is prepared like rice and has a very high protein content. (It's excellent in "cholent" stew!) In the United States and elsewhere, mainstream kosher supervision agencies certify it "Kosher for Passover" -- look for the label.

Interestingly, the Sefardi Jewish community does not have a prohibition against kitniyot. This creates the strange situation, for example, where one family could be eating rice on Passover - when their neighbors will not. So am I going to guess here that you are Ashkenazi and your wife is Sefardi. Am I right?

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (1194-1270), known as Nachmanides, and by the acronym of his name, Ramban. Born in Spain, he was a physician by trade, but was best-known for authoring brilliant commentaries on the Bible, Talmud, and philosophy. In 1263, King James of Spain authorized a disputation (religious debate) between Nachmanides and a Jewish convert to Christianity, Pablo Christiani. Nachmanides reluctantly agreed to take part, only after being assured by the king that he would have full freedom of expression. Nachmanides won the debate, which earned the king's respect and a prize of 300 gold coins. But this incensed the Church: Nachmanides was charged with blasphemy and he was forced to flee Spain. So at age 72, Nachmanides moved to Jerusalem. He was struck by the desolation in the Holy City -- there were so few Jews that he could not even find a minyan to pray. Nachmanides immediately set about rebuilding the Jewish community. The Ramban Synagogue stands today in Jerusalem's Old City, a living testimony to his efforts.

It's easy to be intimidated by mean people. See through their mask. Underneath is an insecure and unhappy person. They are alienated from others because they are alienated from themselves.

Have compassion for them. Not pity, not condemning, not fear, but compassion. Feel for their suffering. Identify with their core humanity. You might be able to influence them for the good. You might not. Either way your compassion frees you from their destructiveness. And if you would like to help them change, compassion gives you a chance to succeed.

It is the nature of a person to be influenced by his fellows and comrades (Rambam, Hil. De'os 6:1).

We can never escape the influence of our environment. Our life-style impacts upon us and, as if by osmosis, penetrates our skin and becomes part of us.

Our environment today is thoroughly computerized. Computer intelligence is no longer a science-fiction fantasy, but an everyday occurrence. Some computers can even carry out complete interviews. The computer asks questions, receives answers, interprets these answers, and uses its newly acquired information to ask new questions.

Still, while computers may be able to think, they cannot feel. The uniqueness of human beings is therefore no longer in their intellect, but in their emotions.

We must be extremely careful not to allow ourselves to become human computers that are devoid of feelings. Our culture is in danger of losing this essential aspect of humanity, remaining only with intellect. Because we communicate so much with unfeeling computers, we are in danger of becoming disconnected from our own feelings and oblivious to the feelings of others.

As we check in at our jobs, and the computer on our desk greets us with, "Good morning, Mr. Smith. Today is Wednesday, and here is the agenda for today," let us remember that this machine may indeed be brilliant, but it cannot laugh or cry. It cannot be happy if we succeed, or sad if we fail.

Today I shall...

try to remain a human being in every way - by keeping in touch with my own feelings and being sensitive to the feelings of others.

With stories and insights,
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